Dovecot is a world-renowned tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft and design. Occupying a former Victorian bath house, Dovecot offers an exciting exhibition and events programme, a shop presenting the best in contemporary Scottish design, and the Dovecot Café offering the best in seasonal food and drink. 

A performance duet of sonic verse, dance, and audience experience that challenges the expectations imposed upon us in society. Using co-authored text, musician and playwright Karen Cecilia, and dance and visual artist Emilee Lord, break down and name the expectations they have each combatted and assert what they chose instead. While each performer’s story differs in detail and expression, a common thread between them will ring true with others who have carved their own paths in life. The audience will be asked to consider their own ideas of “shoulds” and invited to contribute to the show’s performance that day.

Timestamp

Ivy and Jones, two deadbeat, dead-end 20-somethings are looking for a way out. Ivy knows that suicide is the answer but doesn’t want to die alone. Jones is cool with being dead, but doesn’t want to die a virgin. Four going on five tries in and they're still breathing; I guess sometimes the universe has other plans for you. As Ivy’s frustration mounts and their tenuous relationship degrades, a violent solution finally materialises. What follows is a pitch-black comedy about escaping your ugly, rotten, nasty, little life by finding a gun and finally pulling the trigger.

Failsafe

After 3.5 billion years, Dr David Jones has evolved –– research biologist by day, stand-up comedian by night. He’s set himself the gargantuan challenge of telling the complete story of life on Earth. In one hour. Can he squeeze the origins of life, the evolution of millions of species, the extinction of millions more, and Homo sapiens’ rise to dominance, into a 60-minute show? Probably not. But it’s still very funny. Warning: Contains scenes of death, genetic drift and existential dread.

From Primordial Soups to Primates in Suits: The Evolution of All Life on Earth

Dazzle at Dovecot Studios is a curated selling exhibition of 60 contemporary jewellery designers. Dazzle is the place to discover jewellery as you’ve never seen it before. From bold statement pieces to elegant classics, handmade in a range of unusual materials, gold to plastic, diamonds to paper. At Dazzle, you'll always find something new. Also on show are limited edition prints and handwoven textiles. This carefully curated exhibition has pieces to suit all budgets – visitors can treat themselves to a special piece, all while supporting the talented independent makers creating these unique and innovative designs.

Dazzle Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition

Celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design at IKEA, Magical Patterns features 180 iconic fabrics that showcase the rich history of the Swedish furniture retailer's commitment to innovation, collaboration and experimental design. From the early days of bold patterns introduced by textile artists Bitten Højmark and Inger Nilsson, to the revolutionary works of the Swedish design collective 10-gruppen, Magical Patterns highlights how IKEA has supported the creative visions of some of the most influential textile designers. You can weave your way through some familiar friends and quite literally get a feel for the fabric of history.

IKEA: Magical Patterns

Finlay and Joe are fine. The future is bright, sketch comedy is more financially lucrative than ever, and you definitely cannot smell burning. Expect a brand-new hour of wildly imaginative comedy sketches from these two future national treasures who will not stop until they are knighted for services to live entertainment. Although not Finlay. He wouldn’t accept a knighthood. He’s afraid of swords. Maybe a Blue Peter badge? Leicester Square Sketch Off! Finalists 2024. ‘Cracking concept’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Infectious energy’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Ow help us we’re on fire’ (Finlay and Joe).

Finlay and Joe: Pretend It's Fine

Set in the backdrop of early 90s Eastern Europe post the fall of the Soviet Union, Inertia unearths generational trauma, resilience and the silent forces of a Soviet Union hangover. Through brutalist realism and dreamlike sequences, it explores the fate of Frida, a woman bound by the weight of an abusive past, as she navigates the fractures of love, motherhood and survival. Inertia, inspired by the life fragments and memories of the playwright's Lithuanian grandmother, is an ode to peace and womanhood, surrounding the lives of women in quiet suffering and a gradually swelling rebellion.

Inertia

An emotionally charged stage play that invites the audience into the world of Jason, a young guy whose life takes a harrowing turn after he falls victim to a group of guys during his pursuit of higher education. This poignant and thought-provoking production explores the depths of human resilience and the enduring spirit of those who experience trauma. The play delves into Jason’s journey as he confronts a myriad of complex issues in the wake of the assault. His struggles with identity crisis, sexuality and the impact of this traumatic event on his approach to life forms the narrative. 

Dovecot Studios

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